DJ Khaled: We The Greatest Forever Review

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Massive talent and great beats add up to excellent album.

By Chad Grischow

Miami beatsmith, DJ Khaled's latest album has a guest list that puts the roll call on a David Guetta album to shame. From hip-hop heavyweights Drake, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne to R&B royalty Mary J. Blige, Cee Lo Green, and Ne-Yo, the combination of great talent, hot beats, and memorable hooks makes this one of the best hip-hop albums of the year.

From the club seeking "A Million Lights", with a hazy synth melody pushing Kevin Rudolf's hook and caffeinated verses reminiscing on relationships gone wrong from Tyga and Mack Maine, to the tolling bells and slow-motion grind of grubby "Money", with Young Jeezy and Ludacris talking up their cash flow, the dynamic album jumps around frequently to keep things fresh. Only the eerie, horror movie inspired piano of "I'm Thuggin" disappoints with a lethargic droning hook and sleepy, cymbal-happy beat. Outside of that rare low point, the album lives up to its weighty guest list.

The cool old school vibe of the hollowed out verses on "It Ain't Over Till It's Over" find Fabolous and Jadakiss turning their names into gritty acronyms over a clanging beat and twinkling chimes, with humming synth warming the soulful hook from Mary J. Blige. "Legendary" is a wonderfully positive anthem about not giving up, fuelled by the great vocals of Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole, and Ne-Yo over a stuttering blend of beats and synth.

The militant beat marching along with the searing, neon hook from Cee-Lo on "Sleep When I'm Gone" is perfect for the raspy growling rap from Busta Rhymes and punchy verses from Game as they express their drive for success. The regal horns blowing through shooting strings and a tattered beat "Future" finds Big Sean's rhythmic flow, explaining that his grandmother being proud of him feels better than his jewels, standing out above verses from Wale, Ace Hood, Meek Mill, and Vado. Foggy-voiced Drake and Lil Wayne's slithering cottonmouth flow sound right at home on the wavy synth and slowly tapped beat of "I'm On One", with Rick Ross' husky verse an excellent contrast to their higher tones.

The brassy synth-laced beat banging through "Welcome To My Hood" battles T-Pain's anthemic hook for your attention, as Rick Ross prowls through, talking up the toughness of his hood. The strummy acoustic guitar and laid back beat of "My Life" suits B.O.B.'s flow well, as he examines the irony of getting major discounts on big ticket items once he can afford them, but Akon's pleading hook awkwardly name drops Khaled as if singing directly to him. This consistently excellent set of hip-hop anthems is a must-have summer album.